Terminal Protection of Small Molecule-Linked DNA for Small Molecule–Protein Interaction Assays

Abstract

Methods for the detection of specific interactions between diverse proteins and various small-molecule ligands are of significant importance in understanding the mechanisms of many critical physiological processes of organisms. The techniques also represent a major avenue to drug screening, molecular diagnostics, and public safety monitoring. Terminal protection assay of small molecule-linked DNA is a demonstrated novel methodology which has exhibited great potential for the development of simple, sensitive, specific and high-throughput methods for the detection of small molecule–protein interactions. Herein, we review the basic principle of terminal protection assay, the development of associated methods, and the signal amplification strategies adopted for performance improving in small molecule–protein interaction assay.

Fluorescence biosensor for folate receptors in cancer cells based on terminal protection and hyperbranched rolling circle amplification

“…6 Furthermore, the terminal protection technology has been coupled with the amplication strategy to improve the detection sensitivity. [7][8][9][10][11][12] For example, Yang et al presented a highly sensitive colorimetric method for FR detection. 7 In this system, DNA-1 is protected by FR hybridized with its complementary DNA strand (DNA-2) and hence induces the digestion of DNA-2 by Exo III, thus resulting in the release of DNA-1, and the released DNA-1 initiates a new cycle of reaction and realizes signal amplication.…”